An image of Composition

Alexander Rodchenko

(Russia 1891–1956)

Composition

Location
Modern gallery
Further information

The composition is painted in transparent oils over a wooden panel possibly taken from a piece of furniture. The curvature of the panel and the grain of the wood have both been incorporated into the design.

This use of a found panel and its textures makes it a very beautiful object and an outstanding example of Russian Constructivism. The composition of dynamic diagonals and shallow arcs penetrating cosmic spheres has surprisingly Cubist connections. It is reminiscent of Picasso and Braque's guitars in Analytic Cubist painting. The use of wood grain enhances this association.

Year
1918
Media
Painting
Medium
oil on wooden panel
Dimensions
93.0 x 51.5cm sight (irreg.); 99.1 x 57.0 x 4.7cm frame (irreg.)
Signature & date
Signed and dated l.r., black oil "A RODCHENKO [in Russian], 1918 ...".
Credit
Purchased 1997
Accession number
416.1997
Copyright
© Alexander Rodchenko/RAO. Licensed by Viscopy, Sydney
Provenance
Dorothee Altenburg (Germany), 1994-Dec 1997, Germany, Purchased by the AGNSW from Mrs Dorothee Altenburg 1997
Alexander Archipenko (Russia, b.20th century), late 1970s, St Petersburg/Russia, relative of the sculptor Alexander Archipenko (1887-1964)
Friedman Collection (Russia), St Petersburg/Russia